Dual-Frequency RFID: EM4425 / EM4423 Combining NFC and UHF
One chip supporting both NFC (a phone tap) and UHF (long-range bulk inventory). This article explains the value of dual-frequency RFID, the difference between the EM4425 and EM4423, and where they fit.
What dual-frequency RFID is and why it matters
A typical RFID tag supports a single band: NFC (13.56MHz) can be read with a tap from a smartphone — short range, ideal for consumer interaction and anti-counterfeit verification; UHF (860–960MHz) reads at long range and in bulk, ideal for warehouse inventory and supply-chain traceability.
Dual-frequency RFID combines both in one chip and one tag — the line and warehouse use UHF for fast inventory while consumers verify with NFC on a phone, with no need for two labels. It is an ideal solution for brand protection and smart retail.
EM4425 vs EM4423
Both the EM4425 (em|echo-V) and EM4423 (em|echo) are EM Microelectronics dual-frequency RFID ICs, compatible with NFC (ISO 14443A / NFC Forum) and UHF (EPC Class1 Gen2 / ISO 18000-63), and both are passive (battery-less).
The key difference: the EM4423 adds a sensor interface that can log data such as temperature, giving a passive tag both identification and sensing; the EM4425 focuses on dual-frequency identification and memory applications.
Use cases
Brand protection: put one dual-frequency tag on a product — retail and warehouse use UHF for inventory, while consumers verify authenticity and view product info via NFC on a phone.
Smart retail and supply chain: UHF for fast bulk reads in stock control, NFC as the consumer-interaction entry point.
Cold chain and medical logistics (EM4423): combine the sensor interface to log temperature and other environmental data, enabling low-cost condition traceability with a passive tag.
Sourcing
JLink Technology is an authorized EM Microelectronics distributor supplying dual-frequency RFID ICs such as the EM4425 and EM4423, along with RFID/NFC parts like the EM4305.
If you are planning a brand-protection, smart-retail, or sensing-capable RFID solution, send us your requirements — we will help with selection and reply with stock, pricing, and lead time.
Products mentioned
EM4425 (em|echo-V) NFC + UHF Dual-Frequency RFID IC
The EM4425 is a single-chip dual-frequency RFID tag IC from EM Microelectronics, integrating both HF (NFC, 13.56MHz) and UHF (RAIN/EPC Gen2v2, 860~960MHz) interfaces, with AES-128 encryption and digital signature support. One chip can be read both by smartphone NFC at close range and by UHF for long-range inventory — ideal for brand authentication and supply-chain traceability.
EM4423 (em|echo) NFC + UHF Dual-Frequency RFID IC
The EM4423 is a single-chip dual-frequency RFID tag IC from EM Microelectronics combining NFC (HF) and RAIN (UHF) — branded "RAINFC". The HF side is NFC Forum Type 2 compliant and the UHF side is EPC Gen2v2 compliant, with a 96-bit inalterable unique ID — widely used for retail item tagging, consumer engagement, and anti-counterfeiting.
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